Newcastle and West Ham United to compete for Championship playmaker

Brentfords Jota during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Middlesbrough at Griffin Park, London, England on 31 January 2015. Photo by Phil Duncan.

Premier League sides Newcastle and West Ham United are set to compete for the signing of Brentford midfielder Jota, according to The Mirror.

As Jota has only one year left on his current deal at Brentford, he has been linked with a move away from the club for much of this summer. Along with Newcastle and West Ham, Burnley have also been strongly linked with the playmaker.

Jota, 26, began his career with Celta Vigo but made only five appearances for the club’s first-team. After two loan spells, one of which a successful season with Eibar, the midfielder made the move to Brentford for an undisclosed fee.

In his debut season in English football, Jota scored 11 Championship goals as Brentford lost out to Middlesbrough in the play-offs.

On the opening day of the 2015-16 season, Jota suffered an injury that ruled him out until December. The following month, the midfielder re-joined Eibar on loan until June 2017 due to personal reasons but was recalled in December 2016.

Following his return to English football, Jota scored five goals in five games for Brentford. He finished the season with 12 goals and five assists in 21 league games, triggering a one-year extension to his contract.

Newcastle United are believed to be the most interested party at this stage, but everything could change if Phillipe Coutinho departs Liverpool for Barcelona.

If Coutinho leaves, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will bid for West Ham midfielder Manuel Lanzini. If Lanzini decides to make the move north, West Ham will rival Newcastle for the signing of Jota from Brentford.

Brentford fans will want their club to hang on to Jota, after the midfielder reminded everyone just how creative he is during the second-half of last season.